Sneads Ferry drug dealer convicted of second-degree murder

Mike McHugh

Tuesday

Feb 13, 2018 at 10:33 AMFeb 14, 2018 at 9:44 AM

A first occurrence happened inside an Onslow County Superior Courtroom Tuesday morning.

Emotions ran high as a 23-year-old man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with an overdose death, the first time someone has been convicted of murder from a drug overdose in the Fourth Prosecutorial District that includes Onslow, Jones, Duplin and Sampson counties.

Jarred Michael Eddington, 23, of Everett Lane in Sneads Ferry pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 7 to 10.5 years in prison plus ordered to pay $25,000 in restitution by Judge Will Bland. Eddington was in pre-trial confinement in the Onslow County Jail since his arrest.

Eddington was charged Aug. 5, 2016 by the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office with second-degree murder in the April 7, 2016 death of Jason Westberry Sapp IV. Senior District Attorney Michael Maultsby told the court during his recitation of the facts of the case that Sapp's autopsy confirmed the cause of death was from fentanyl even though other narcotics, such as oxycodone, codeine and alprazolam, were present in his system.

District Attorney Ernie Lee said the sentence helped bring closure to the families and hopefully sends a message to the community. “I hope people realize that this is a poison we’re dealing with. It will kill you. It affects so many lives,” Lee said. Lee went on to say, "Don’t use it and don’t sell it.”

Eddington’s father and members of Sapp’s immediate family and his then-girlfriend addressed the court reading from prepared remarks punctuated by occasional sobs and teary eyes.

Harold Eddington spoke passionately of his son and his upbringing. He expressed gratitude that his son is alive and asked the court to protect him while in their custody hoping upon his release he returns “to a better community.”

Eddington closed by saying, “today in this courtroom, there are no winners.”

Vanessa Sapp, Wes’ mother said after the hearing that “justice was served. Second-degree murder charge is huge and should send a message to those who are dealing that is what they face.”

Sapp hoped lessons learned from this incident will reverberate with those who find themselves in similar predicaments and begin a conversation with those who are addicted. “End the silence. Get out and talk about it,” Sapp said.

Sapp said she has an appointment with N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper in Raleigh later this week to discuss the opioid epidemic.

Sapp and Cindy Patane, the mother of Matt Eyster who died one day before Sapp from a drug overdose, founded Sneads Ferry H.O.P.E.,--Heroin Opiate Prevention Education—a nonprofit organization in wake of their son’s deaths to help others embroiled in addiction. Patane and a contingent of supporters including Pastor Tommy Yopp of the Salem Baptist Church in Sneads Ferry sat behind Onslow County Sheriff Hans Miller and Maj. Chris Thomas.

Second-degree murder can be charged if a person sells opium, cocaine, a derivative of either, or methamphetamine and the buyer dies after using it, according to N.C. General Statutes.

Eddington spoke briefly before the court and addressed both families expressing remorse for his actions.

When Eddington was charged, it was the first time the sheriff’s office had filed a second-degree-murder charge in connection with an overdose death. A month later on Sept. 6, Joshua Grappo, 30, was charged in the Fentanyl death of Joseph Daniel Allen.

Eddington was represented by Wilmington lawyer Brett Wentz. The state was represented by Senior Assistant District Attorney Michael Maultsby.

Reporter Mike McHugh can be reached at 910-219-8455 or email mike.mchugh@jdnews.com.

A Sneads Ferry man has pleaded guilty to murder in connection with an overdose death.

Jarred Michael Eddington, 23, of Everett Lane in Sneads Ferry pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Onslow Superior Court Tuesday morning and was sentenced to 7 to 10.5 years in prison by Judge Will Bland. Eddington was in pre-trial confinement in the Onslow County Jail since his arrest.

Eddington was charged Aug. 5, 2016 by the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office with second-degree murder in the April 7, 2016 death of Jason Westberry Sapp IV. His autopsy confirmed the cause of death as a multidrug toxicity of fentanyl, oxycodone, codeine and alprazolam.

Second-degree murder can be charged if a person sells opium, cocaine, a derivative of either, or methamphetamine and the buyer dies after using it, according to N.C. General Statutes.

When Eddington was charged, it was the first time the sheriff’s office had filed a second-degree-murder charge in connection with an overdose death.

Reporter Mike McHugh can be reached at 910-219-8455 or email mike.mchugh@jdnews.com.

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